Articles

The Correlation between Self-Confidence and Social Anxiety among Secondary and High School Students in Bangkok, Thailand

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Social anxiety disorder (SAD) is a debilitating condition characterized by a marked and persistent fear of being humiliated or scrutinized by others. It is the third most common mental health disorder and has its origins in adolescence. Accordingly, social relationships are particularly challenging for socially anxious adolescents. Therefore, we assume that self-confidence, which represents your belief in your own abilities, capacities, and judgments, plays an important role. This research aims to explore whether there is a correlation between self-confidence and social anxiety. It also aims to determine differences in selfconfidence and social anxiety according to age and grade. Individual data from 222 participants were collected using an online questionnaire that included general information, a self-confidence section, and a social anxiety section. The participants were secondary and high school students in Bangkok, Thailand. The collected quantitative data were analyzed using Pearson’s correlation coefficients and independent sample t-test within the Statistical Package for the Statistical Product and Service Solutions (SPSS) version 29 program.

The results indicate a significant correlation between self-confidence and social anxiety at the .01 level. Additionally, self- confidence did not show significant differences according to grade or age. The results also revealed that social anxiety does not significantly change based on grade or age.

 

The Impact of Exam Related Stress on Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) Symptoms among High School Students in Bangkok

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Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a digestive condition where the stomach’s acidic contents consistently flow back up into the esophagus which serves as the conduit linking the throat to the stomach. In most cases, individuals with GERD experience symptoms such as heartburn and regurgitation due to the weakening or improper relaxation of the lower esophageal sphincter. Stress, on the other hand, is an instinctive response that stimulates individuals to address challenges in the environment through adaptations to cope with the situation. Correspondingly, it has been frequently observed that high-stress intensities can significantly affect our bodily functions which could potentially progress to more severe disorders. Thus, we conducted survey research on high school students in Bangkok using an online questionnaire to determine the impact of exam-related stress on an individual’s development of symptoms related to Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). The survey conducted in this research has shown that stress and anxiety from exams are correlated with a person developing GERD symptoms. Albeit it can be concluded that stress from exam expectations influences GERD, further research is required to identify other causes relating to this outcome. Therefore, it is crucial that individuals efficiently manage their stress as it has the potential to prevent the onset of GERD symptoms. Thus, examining the impact of exam-related stress on the development of GERD symptoms among Bangkok high school students can promote awareness about effective stress management to attain healthy well-being.